From
the Editor: Spring is making its appearance in the Bluegrass State, and, as
President Maurer says, "It's now convention season across the Federation."
One of the first things to do after making your convention room reservation
(see the front page of this issue for details) is to decide which of the convention
tours you and your friends will take in July. Denise Franklin is in charge of
tour arrangements this year, and she has put together some delightful opportunities.
Read the following tour descriptions and sign up for the ones that take your
fancy. This is what she says:

As the site of this year's National Convention, Louisville
certainly has all the right ingredients. Both the Galt House and Hyatt Hotels
offer superb accommodations, and the surrounding area is rich in history and
local color. But when you visit our city this summer, don't limit yourself to
exploring only downtown; let your natural curiosity lead you beyond the city
streets and enjoy some of the scenery and attractions that make us proud to
be Kentuckians.

The best way to immerse yourself in the Bluegrass
experience is to take part in one (or several) of the tours we have arranged.
All tours will depart from the Galt House East and return to the same location.
Since the dates of our convention have undergone a slight change, tour day will
be Sunday, July 7. Most tours will take place that day; however, three tours
will be offered on Wednesday, July 3

To make reservations, checks and money orders should
be made payable to NFBK Tours and sent to Denise Franklin, 3145 Talisman Road,
Louisville, Kentucky 40220. Please include your name, address, telephone number,
the designated tour number, and the number of people in your party reserving
each tour. Payment must be received by June 1, and you will receive written
confirmation by June 20

Now take a look at this list and make your choices.

NFB1. KENTUCKY HORSE PARK: Wednesday, July 3, depart
8 a.m., return 6 p.m. $30 per person. Located amid some of Lexington-Fayette
County's most beautiful horse farms, this 1,032-acre park is Kentucky's premier
horse attraction and offers something for visitors of all ages and interests.
Walk the lanes of a working horse farm and see demonstrations of shoeing, grooming,
and saddling. Take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon and get up close and personal
to the thoroughbreds, the real stars of the show. Enjoy lunch at Cracker Barrel
Restaurant, which offers delicious home-style cooking and a large gift shop.
(Price does not include lunch.)

NFB2. DERBY DINNER PLAYHOUSE: Wednesday, July 3, depart
11:15 a.m., return 3 p.m. $45 per person. Located just across the Ohio River
in southern Indiana, this theater has been an entertainment tradition in the
Louisville area for over twenty-five years. Known for its excellent on-stage
productions, it also boasts a plentiful buffet and desserts that are so big
they require two spoons. You will enjoy the musical, Footloose. (Lunch
is included.)

NFB3. AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND LOCUST
GROVE: Wednesday, July 3, depart 8:30 a.m., return 5 p.m. $15 per person. Observe
the production of Braille, the recording of Talking Books, and a demonstration
of special educational aids at one of the largest and oldest facilities of its
kind. Visit the museum where vintage Braillers and many other artifacts are
displayed along with audio descriptions. Following lunch at the Spaghetti Factory,
visit the former home of General George Rogers Clark, the founder of Louisville.
This large Georgian mansion, built in 1790, is a National Historic Landmark
and is representative of early Kentucky craftsmanship. (Price does not include
lunch.)

NFB4. SIX FLAGS KENTUCKY KINGDOM: Sunday, July 7,
depart 12:30 p.m., return 10 p.m. $35 per person. Enjoy a fun-filled day of
rides and attractions. The park features seven world-class coasters as well
as many other thrill-rides and carnival games. Bring along your bathing suit
and plan to spend some time at Hurricane Bay with its many water slides. Food
and beverages are sold throughout the park.

NFB5. STEPHEN FOSTER STORY AND DINNER: Sunday, July
7, depart 3:30 p.m., return 12:30 a.m. $42 per person. Join us as we travel
to Bardstown, Kentucky, for a production of one of the nation's top outdoor
musicals. Lively dance, enchanting music, and dazzling costumes bring the story
of Stephen Foster, America's first folk music writer, to life on stage at the
J. Dan Talbott Amphitheatre. We will enjoy a delicious dinner buffet at the
Stephen Foster Restaurant before the show.

NFB6. SHOP TILL YOU DROP: Sunday, July 7, depart 12:30
p.m., return 6:30 p.m. $10 per person. Visit Oxmoor Center, one of Louisville's
largest and most prestigious malls. Anchored by Lazarus and Sears, the mall
is also home to Galyans and 110 other specialty shops and a large food court.

NFB7. ROLLIN’ ON THE RIVER: Sunday, July 7, depart
8 p.m., return 11 p.m. $15 per person. Enjoy this lovely summer evening cruising
the Ohio River. As the calliope plays, you will board the Belle of Louisville,
where you will find music for your dancing and listening pleasure. If your preference
is for something with a little less volume, take a seat on the outside deck
and relax to the gentle rhythm of the timeless river. Celebrating her eighty-seventh
birthday this year, the Belle of Louisville is now recognized as the
oldest paddlewheel steamboat still in operation. Through the years she has served
many masters and visited many ports. If you listen very carefully as you stand
at the rail, she may share some of her most intimate secrets with you. Both
food and beverages are sold on board.

NFB8. A DAY AT THE RACES: Sunday, July 7, depart 12:30
p.m., return 6 p.m. $20 per person. Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby,
welcomes you to its Sky Terrace. Enjoy a day of thoroughbred racing from your
table in air-conditioned comfort, or step outside to soak up that Kentucky sunshine.
Food and beverages are sold nearby, and betting windows are just a few steps
away from your table. Just think: this is where you find the millionaires on
Derby Day.

Louisville is waiting to welcome you with true southern
hospitality. Whether this is your first convention or your twenty-first, we
are ready to make it the best.